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ZMI Today’s Dose

Part 2, Fitting Words for Unfitting Moments

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“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”
Prov. 15:23 NLT

The silent atmosphere in the truck between Emory and me was tense. Miscommunication and assumption on both our parts had resulted in raised voices, heightened emotions, and blame. What had started out as a fun errand had turned into a sullied stand-off. Apologies and forgiveness were eventually given, but our careless words over an insignificant disagreement had been anything but right!

Our focus today will be on Proverbs 15. In this single chapter, we find several verses pertaining to the mouth and the good or bad it can bring in adverse situations with others. The choice is ours.

“Pleasant words are pure.” (vs. 26b, NASB).

Sounds simple enough, right? Yet, in the heat of the moment, our words are often anything but pure, much less pleasant. This simple instruction says not only do we need to be careful of what we say, but how we say it. Our words need to be clean, wholesome, and untainted. Likewise, if given in a welcome tone and humble attitude, others are more likely to receive them.

Verse 28 offers some how-to help for verse 26 –

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”

If you are a believer, then you are righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross for you. In the midst of conflict, turn to Him for strength to hold your tongue as you purposefully consider how you should respond. This doesn’t come easy for most of us. It takes practice and willingness to give up being right or having the last say in a dispute.

The following verses in Proverbs 15 offer two more options for us to consider.

 

“A gentle answer turns away wrath” (vs. 1a), and

“A soothing tongue is a tree of life” (vs. 4a)

– OR –

 

“…a harsh word stirs up anger” (vs.1b), and

 

 

 

“… perversion in it crushes the spirit” (vs. 4b).

Gentle and soothing is so much better than harsh and perverted, don’t you think? And who wouldn’t choose peace and life over anger and wounds? It takes maturity and discipline to contemplate and think before speaking. Yet, you can do it with God’s help!

I challenge you to consider the benefits of a ‘fitting reply’ and the joy it brings when we have right words to give. Let’s be life-givers, not life-crushers.

[Digging deeper – Ps. 141:3; Prov. 24:26, 25:11; 1 Peter 3:15]

Pondering my words,

Beverly <><

 

 

Photo Credit: Images courtesy of nuttakit at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Part 1, Oh, My Words!

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“My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.” 
Proverbs 1:8 NLT

OK, so I know the old saying is “Oh, my word!”, but simply add an s, and you have the focus for a series of doses we’ll be looking at over the next few days. There is life and death in the power of the tongue and Proverbs has a lot to say about our words – over a hundred verses!

Within the first seven chapters of Proverbs, we read repeatedly how children are to heed, listen to, follow, and cling to the instruction, teaching, and wisdom of their parents. Little ears are listening in so many places and are in desperate need of godly parental guidance.

What are some of the advantages and results listed in the Scriptures for children who observe their parent’s godly advice and instruction? A list from Proverbs includes:

Will be like a crown on your head and a chain of honor around your neck (1:9).

Will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God (2:5).

Will lead to a full life, peace, favor, and good reputation (3:2, 4)

Will be a source of life and health (4:22)

Will lead you, protect you, advise you (6:22).

Will help keep you from sexual temptation (7:24-25)

As parents, our children are hearing, and observing everything we do. Do you carefully consider your speech? Do you use God’s Word to instill correction, as well as direction, comfort, and kindness into their young lives? Will they learn how to biblically respond in confrontational situations by what they hear coming from your mouth?

“But I’m not a mother,” or “I’m an empty nester” you may say. Even so, I bet youngsters in various venues are listening to you. As teachers, instructors, coaches, tutors, and employers, our words speak volumes to today’s youth. Often, we aren’t aware that they are even paying attention. We need to pray for that sense of awareness.

Like the sons in Proverbs, are the young ones in your sphere of influence gaining life and victory due to your teaching? Are they experiencing the incredible benefits of God’s word because they hear it spoken from your lips? Has your wisdom helped steer them to make good choices?

Regardless of what role you may fill – single mom, grandmother, a beloved aunt, a big sister, a submissive wife, or just a friend – your talk can have an eternal impact on the sons and daughters of the next generation. Let your daily prayer flow from verse 14 of Psalm 19: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”

[Digging deeper – Prov. 4:1-5, 6:20-22; 31:26; Eph. 4:29]

Speaking the truth,

Beverly <><

 

 

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A ‘Signing Your Life Away’ Kind of Trust

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“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD.”
Jeremiah 17:7 NASB

It was not on my bucket list of things to do. I was terrified the week before the jump. “I don’t want to die!” I kept telling my husband. However, I found myself willing and somewhat excited to be celebrating a ‘wedding in the air’ to be performed by my chaplain husband. Instead of walking back down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, we’d all be making a tandem skydiving jump and landing on the ground two miles below. Yep, you heard me right. And yep, that’s me in the picture.

Signing your life away is pretty much what you do before making a jump. You peruse through a lengthy contract agreeing that you, and you alone, are responsible for what you are about to do. You can hold no one liable in case something goes wrong. I about chickened out just filling out the paperwork!

I did live through it all, obviously, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. On the other hand, the experience gave me much to think about from a spiritual perspective on the topic of trust.

After signing your life away, you meet a total stranger who coaches you on what is about to take place. You dress in appropriate skydiving paraphernalia, are given instructions on what to do and not do, and head to the plane. Once on board, you are strapped like glue to your instructor. You are so like one that if he moves, you move. Before you have time to think, you’re in the plane doorway, and -BOOM –  out you go. No. Turning. Back. Your life is literally in his hands during the jump, and if you have any sense, you will trust him and do what he says.

God IS our trust (see theme verse) and asks us to recklessly surrender our lives to Him (Matthew 10:37-39). He clothes us in His robes of righteousness (Is. 61:10). He instructs and guides us through every experience that comes our way through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). We become as one if we abide in Him and Him with us (John 17:21). God will never leave us or forsake – ever (Heb. 13:5). Our lives are literally in His hands – always – and because He knows what’s best, you should trust and obey all that He says.

Dear ones, you can rest assured that no matter what life throws at you, God has your back. You can fearlessly trust Him to maneuver you through any trial that comes along. Even when you are plummeting out of control, Father has you in His hands. Trust Him. Your life depends on it.

[Digging deeper – Ps. 56:3, 11; Ps. 62:8; Prov. 3:5, 29:25; Isaiah 26:3-4; Daniel 6:23]

Relying on Him,

 

Beverly <><